Oz legend Healy welcomes Haddin's 'rightful' inclusion in Ashes squad

Sydney, Apr 26 (ANI): Australian wicket-keeping great Ian Healy has welcomed the return of new deputy Brad Haddin to the team as a selection for the Ashes squad, saying that Haddin has rightfully regained his preferred status.

The spotlight on Matthew Wade's six-month tenure behind the stumps in the Test team after he replaced Haddin heightened when Healy publicly criticised the standard of his glove work, although he has since mended relations with Wade, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Although he said that Wade has a bright future, Healy said that Haddin should not have been dropped and replaced by Wade last year, adding that the selectors needed to give an explanation of why Haddin was not selected after taking a break from the West Indies tour last year to take care of his ill daughter but has been now selected as both keeper and deputy.

Reckoning that Wade will have to wait for a lengthy wait to reclaim the Test wicketkeeping berth, Healy said that Haddin's second chance might not be limited to the looming away and home Ashes series if he performs well and is consistent

On Wade, Healy said that the player will have time to develop and learn on an Ashes tour, with Haddin to lead and help captain Michael Clarke get this team achieving again, adding that Wade has to refine his techniques and be comfortable with his new position of being second in line.

Healy further said that the 16-man Ashes squad was a lot better than it looks on paper and that its performances would surprise plenty against England. (ANI)